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Physical pain is not only felt in the body; our thoughts, feelings, and emotional reactions influence our experience of chronic pain.  These normal stress-pain reactions can contribute to making the pain worse.  Mindfulness practices can bring awareness to these automatic reactions and empower us to skillfully choose how we respond.

4-Week Course, Live Online

This 4-week course is intended to introduce you to mindfulness and to help you develop tools to cope with acute and chronic pain, decrease stress, and participate more fully in your own self-care.  

Offered online and incorporating evidence-based approaches developed right here at UMass, the goal is a relationship with chronic pain that can be wiser, more compassionate, and with less suffering. 

Our instructors create a safe and supportive place for you to explore and share your experience as you integrate mindfulness practices into your life in ways that can complement and enhance current treatments and improve quality of life.  

You are not your pain. Take action.  Mobilize your own inner resources and invite yourself to live your life more fully and at ease.

Details:

• Live online, April 24 - May 15, or July 10 - July 31
• Wednesday Mornings 10:00 - 11:30am ET, or
• Wednesday Evenings, 6:00 - 7:30pm ET
• Daily at-home mindfulness meditation practice of 20 to 40 minutes
• Guided meditation recordings and course content available on course website
• Weekly at-home exercises to develop mindfulness skills
• Courses limited to approximately 35 participants
• Course tuition: $175
• Instructor: Ginny Wholley

​Refund Policy and Dates:

Due to limited availability and the short duration of this course, a cancellation may not allow us to offer the spot to someone else once the course has started.

• 100% refund until the day before Class 1 
• 50% refund ($87.50) on and after date of Class 1
• No refunds on and after date of Class 2 

What is Mindfulness?

One definition might be “The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.”  How might you define mindfulness for yourself?

What is the online program like?

The course is delivered live through online video conferencing, and rather than meeting in-person, you will engage with the teacher and interact with other participants through your computer screen and web camera during weekly class sessions.  Home assignments and guided meditation audio files are all available online. 

Throughout the program you will be consciously and systematically working with the challenges and demands of your everyday life. Our trained and certified instructors will create a safe and supportive environment for this work and learning through:

• Live class sessions using simple online meeting technology that is rich in experience and connection
• Systematic instruction in formal and informal meditation practices, including guided instruction and recordings to practice with at home
• Group dialogue, with discussions offered to enhance awareness in everyday life
• Online resource materials, dedicated technical support, and opportunities for feedback

Class sizes are limited to facilitate group connection and conversation. A computer and high-speed internet connection are required.  Mobile devices such as phones and tablets are not recommended.

Technology Requirements

To ensure the best possible experience for all participants, the program relies on online video conferencing, which has minimum requirements to work properly. You will need a desktop or laptop computer with speakers, microphone, and webcam, and a high-speed internet connection. Laptops work best because they come with all the necessary equipment and can easily be moved from room to room in your home or office to find a quiet place.

• Review the system requirements for the Zoom online meeting platform
• Try out a test meeting
• Test your audio and video in the meeting
• Watch a video tutorial about using Zoom